Labor vows 'end to war on cyclists' with $412m for active transport

Labor is promising to encourage more people to bike and walk by boosting spending on cycleways and pedestrian links to $412 million over the next four years if it wins the state election next month.

Vowing to "reinvigorate active transport", Labor's transport spokeswoman, Jodi McKay, said it would invest the money, if elected, into cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, as well as rail trails in regional NSW, in its first term of government.

Labor has promised to spend $412 million on cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in its first term if it is elected.Credit:Louise Kennerley

"It is about trying to get people back on their bikes," she said.

"Supporting cycling and pedestrian infrastructure means less cars on the road, reduced emissions and air pollution, and has a proven impact on public health and wellbeing."

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As part of the policy, Labor will announce on Saturday plans to contribute $4.5 million to complete the Greenway bike and pedestrian corridor through Sydney's inner west from the Cooks River to Iron Cove.

A key part of the election pitch is to work with councils to design dedicated cycle and pedestrian routes to schools, train stations and other public amenities, especially in western Sydney, and build more "end-of-trip" facilities such as secure storage sheds.

A cyclist in traffic in the Sydney CBD.Credit:Nick Moir

Ms McKay said Labor would end the Coalition's "war on cyclists across NSW under former roads minister Duncan Gay", which she claimed had led to a fall in people choosing to cycle.

The last biennial national cycling survey in 2017 by the now defunct Australian Bicycle Council showed cycling was on the wane in NSW, especially among women, as more people felt conditions for riding in their local areas had deteriorated.

But a spokeswoman for Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the government had allocated more than $250 million to cycling and walking projects in the past five years, the single largest commitment in the state's history.